Mexico Voted World's Top Retirement Haven
International Living Magazine Releases 15th Annual Global Retirement Index
Viva Las - Mexico? According to the 15th Annual Global Retirement Index just released by International Living magazine, Mexico tops the list as the world's top retirement paradise. Paradise for retirees can be defined by real estate costs, special benefits for seniors, culture, safety, stability, healthcare, climate, infrastructure, and cost of living.
According to Laura Sheridan, Managing Editor of International Living, retiring in Mexico means, "you can still have all of the amenities you grew accustomed to north of the border." The United States, ranked number 19 in the index, fell short in the area of special benefits for retirees.
It is no secret that Baby Boomers are financially ill prepared for retirement years. More and more Americans are seeking low cost retirement destinations abroad to maximize their golden years on a very limited income. It's probably also true that boomers appreciate the "manana mentality" life style.
Last year, the Dallas Morning News reported that approximately one million Americans live in Mexico. According to the CIA World Fact Book on Mexico, nine percent or 9,783,080 of Mexico's population as of July 2007 is "White." Some of the more popular American retirement destinations in Mexico are Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Playa del Carmen, San Miguel de Allende, and Rosarito Beach.
Reasons Why Mexico Ranked Number One for Retirement
Goods and services cost less
No import taxes when you expatriate
Quality medical care and prescriptions cost a fraction of that in the States
Geographic diversity
Beachfront property for less than $100,000
Year-round spring-like temperatures in the Colonial Highlands
Rich, historical culture
Availability of cable TV, high-speed Internet, cell phone services, modern living
Abundance of retirement hobbies, touring, shopping, concerts, theater, and fine dining
Other Top Global Retirement Destinations
Panama had won top honors in the Retirement Index for six consecutive years. In 2007, Panama fell to 4th place primarily because real estate prices have gone up due to its popularity. Following Mexico, the top global spots to retire are: Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Australia, Malta, Spain, South Africa, and Malaysia.
Before You Grab Your Sombrero
There is a wealth of information on the Internet about traveling or moving to Mexico. Some important considerations you should check into before packing your bags and heading south of the border are:
Will I be happy in Mexico? Take these two expatriate quizzes and learn if Mexico is the right place for you: Mexico Expat Quiz (quite humorous) and the Home-Sweet-Mexico Quiz
If I work in Mexico, do I pay income taxes? Read the information from this CPA's web site, whose practice specializes in tax preparation for expatriates.
What shots, do I need? The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an extensive list of resources, requirements, and suggestions for preparing to travel to Mexico.
Will I get sick from the food and water in Mexico? There are certain prescription medications and over-the-counter remedies that are recommended for travel to Mexico. An excellent web site to learn more about what remedies to pack and how to prevent serious illnesses while in Mexico is Healthy Living in Mexico. Pay particular attention to the Traveler's Diarrhea section since this is fairly common in countries where food and water safety is lax.
Do Mexicans like Americans living in their country? This is an important social question considering the recent heated debates over America's immigration laws. For an excellent perspective on this topic from an American living in Mexico.
Is the crime rate high in Mexico? There are many factors about moving to a foreign country that are best answered by people who live there already, or organizations with more objective views of a country and the risks of living there. Some other factors to consider are laws, insurance, banking, and mortgages. Here are three web sites that have considerable information about the "hidden" aspects of living in Mexico: The CIA World Fact Book on Mexico, The People's Guide to Mexico, Living in Mexico
Sources:
The world's top retirement havens in 2007
http://www.internationalliving.com/retire/paid/09-01-07-top-heavens.html
Health Information for Travelers to Mexico
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationMexico.aspx
Healthy Living in Mexico
http://www.healthylivinginmexico.com/
Mexican Tax and Real Estate Laws for Americans Living in Mexico
http://www.taxmeless.com/MEXICO.htm
Living in Mexico and Mexican Travel: Tales & How-to Tips
http://www.mexico-with-heart.com/blog/2005/04/americans-dreaming-of-better-life-in.html
CIA World Fact Book - Mexico
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html
Mexico: Expat Quiz
http://ezinearticles.com/?Mexico:-Expat-Quiz&id=66612
Live or Retire in Mexico: Expatriate Excellence Quiz
http://home-sweet-mexico.com/category/quiz/
The People's Guide to Mexico
http://www.peoplesguide.com/index.html
Retire In Style South of the Border
http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/13/real_estate/acapulco_alternatives/
"They Love Us Here": American Migrants in Mexico
http://dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=723